M.S. in Information Technology

Approved by the U.S. Department of Education

In May, 2017, the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT). Pending Approval of the U.S. Department of Education, the new MSIT proposed for fall 2018 will allow Georgia Southern’s IT faculty to expand their cutting-edge research programs.

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program at Georgia Southern integrates state-of-the-art technology and interdisciplinary and conceptual science with hands-on, operational skills preparation. Graduates gain valuable knowledge and are placed in a unique position to make an immediate impact on their career and their employers.

The MSIT program embraces the constantly changing IT industry, prepares graduates to analyze and manage IT networks and systems. Thesis or Non-thesis tracks are available within the program. Courses include IT management, data analytics, networking, data management and storage, and network security. Research conducted through the thesis or independent study project provides opportunity for individualized in-depth study within the concentration.

Admission Requirements

Regular

Admissions to the MSIT program are competitive. Meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Completed requirements for the Bachelor’s degree at a college or university accredited by the proper regional accrediting association.

An undergraduate degree or the equivalent in Information Technology, Computer Science/Engineering, or Information Systems, or a closely related field of study.

A 3.00 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average (GPA) or higher on courses in undergraduate work, or equivalent.

International students must meet College of Graduate Studies English Proficiency requirements.

In addition to the above requirements, admission to the Master of Science in Information Technology also requires:(a) two years of work experience in the IT field if the undergraduate degree is not in information technology, information systems, computer science/engineering or a closely related field; and
(b) a competitive score on the GRE or GMAT exam. The GRE or GMAT exam may be waived if the applicant has three or more years of work experience in IT or a closely related field.

Provisional

A student may be granted provisional admission based upon the recommendation of the Master of Science in Information Technology Graduate Program Coordinator or Department Chair.

Non-Degree

Non-degree students are accepted on an individual basis as space is available.

MSIT Thesis and Non-Thesis Options

Thesis and Project Options

Credit Hours

Total Semester Credit Hours

30

IT 7999 Thesis (Thesis option)

6

IT 7891 Independent Study (Non-Thesis option)

3

Thesis

Each candidate for the Master of Science in Information Technology Thesis Option degree must complete a thesis on a subject approved by the graduate thesis committee. The major professor supervises the research, directs the writing of the thesis, and approves the thesis in its final form. Prior to the final approval, the thesis is read by the thesis committee. One member, termed the second reader, has responsibility for an intensive and rigorous criticism of the thesis and a third member of the thesis committee has the responsibility of an “editorial reader.” Both second and third readers must report all comments to the major professor. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination before the graduate committee prior to final approval and sign-off.The style and format for the completed thesis shall follow that prescribed by the Program Director for the Master of Science in Information Technology degree. Procedural steps in the preparation of the thesis are as follows:

The prospectus for the thesis shall be submitted to the major professor and thesis committee for approval.

The student must prepare the thesis for electronic submission following the latest version of the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD): Student Guide to Preparation and Processing manual.

The thesis must be electronically submitted to the ETD site for format check by the final thesis submission deadline as stated in the University Calendar.

The final corrected thesis must be electronically submitted to the ETD site by the ETD format check submission deadline as stated in the University Calendar. The final document must be electronically approved by the Thesis Committee.

See the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD): Student Guide to Preparation and Processing (latest version at the COGS Electronic Theses and Dissertation website).